narco-terrorism

noun

nar·​co-ter·​ror·​ism ˈnär-(ˌ)kō-ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce narco-terrorism (audio)
: terrorism financed by profits from illegal drug trafficking
Narco-terrorism should become a major issue in bilateral discussions in the international community …Rachel Ehrenfeld
narco-terrorist noun

Examples of narco-terrorism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism. Reuters, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026 That power dynamic was reinforced Thursday when federal prosecutors in San Diego announced narco-terrorism charges and a $5 million bounty for René Arzate Garcia, who is accused of being a violent Sinaloa lieutenant loyal to the Mayitos. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026 There is also the risk that CJNG, or factions of it, resorts to narco-terrorism akin to what Colombia endured in the 1980s, when Pablo Escobar essentially declared war on the state, marked by bombings, assassinations and kidnappings. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026 After his capture, Maduro was brought to New York to face federal charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026 Even though Maduro now sits in a New York jail awaiting trial on narco-terrorism charges, Sean and Michelle don’t see their future back in the country where they were born. Tom Hudson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026 Both are being held in New York City on federal narco-terrorism charges. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026 Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in New York this month, with their next hearing scheduled for mid-March. Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026 He and his wife, Cilia Flores, are currently being held in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center on narco-terrorism charges. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of narco-terrorism was in 1982

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Cite this Entry

“Narco-terrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narco-terrorism. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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